Longtime library director leaving

Jamie LaRue, director of the Douglas County Libraries since 1990, has announced he will be leaving his position sometime in mid-January to pursue a schedule of worldwide traveling to give workshops on library innovations and other topics to libraries and possibly other organizations.

LaRue says that two years ago he tried giving a professional talk for pay and enjoyed it. This year, using vacation time built up over 23 years, he is giving many more — enjoying locations ranging from Moscow to Boston to Sydney, Australia.

“I learn a lot, it pays well, I meet fascinating people, and I have a chance to deeply explore new issues,” he stated in an Oct. 16 blog post. “In Douglas County, I helped one library district achieve excellence. What I'd really like to do next is help move MANY libraries in that direction. I got into this profession for love, and I'm still in love. This is the best time ever to be a librarian.”

LaRue, a former president of the Colorado Library Association, has won various awards: Colorado Librarian of the Year in 1998; the Julie J. Boucher Award for Intellectual Freedom in 2000; the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce's Business Person of the Year in 2003; and the National Council of Teachers of English/Support for the Learning and Teaching of English Intellectual Freedom Award in 2004.